A UK based NGO trains members of  Emergency Preparedness Response Team on skills for positive advocacy.

By Kissinger Bukhar

A United Kingdom based Non Governmental Organization, Mennonite Central Committee, in collaboration with another group Justice, Development and Peace Commission, have trained members of the  Emergency Preparedness Response Team, EPRT on skills for positive advocacy.

The two day workshop, which was held at Catholic Secretariat in Jimeta, had participants from various groups  including the media.

Speaking at the event, the executive Director of Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Reverend Father Maurice Kwairanga said the aim of the workshop was to improve knowledge for participants for effective advocacy in their communities.

He said this has become necessary considering that the general election in Nigeria are  fast approaching and there are indicators that some politicians are committed to  causing division along religious and ethnic.

A resource person, Mr. Charles Kwuelum, who is a Senior Peace Education and Advocacy Associate with Mennonite Central Committee, described advocacy as essential in  positively influencing change during intervention, peace building and humanitarian relief activities.

He said the workshop was a collaborative effort to improve on existing knowledge to members of the various team to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

According to him, the resource person Mennonite Central Committee intends to create the enabling atmosphere for the Justice Development and Peace Commission, initiative  for the formulation of a model for effective advocacy.

Some participants, Barrister Halima Shuaibu Abdulrahman from the Federation of International Women Lawyers, FIDA and Godwin Joseph, the Chairman, Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, described the workshop as timely and educating.

They commended the organizers for equipping them with relevant knowledge and promised to stepdown the knowledge gained during the workshop.

Kissinger Bukar of ABC Yola, who was among the participants reports that Emergency PreparednessResponse Team, which consist individuals drawn from more than twenty five organizations who operate in emergency situations to provide relief in communities.